ANCIENT GREECE. GRECO-BAKTRIAN KINGDOM. Antimachos I 'Theos'.
Silver Drachm, circa 180-170 BC.
Obv: diademed and draped bust right, wearing kausia. Rev: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΘEOY ANTIMAXOY, Poseidon, laureate, standing facing, holding trident and filleted palm frond; monogram to inner right field.

Extremely Fine; underlying lustre.

The kausia was more than just a hat in ancient times; it was a potent symbol of cultural identity and social status, particularly among the Macedonians. This soft, flat-topped cap, often made of felt, became emblematic of Macedonian attire during the reign of Alexander the Great and his successors. Greco-Baktrian kings like Antimachos, who ruled in the distant lands of Central Asia, adopted the kausia as a deliberate statement of their Macedonian heritage and legitimacy, reinforcing their claims to power in a region far removed from the Macedonian heartland. In the harsh climates of the East, the kausia also provided practical benefits, protecting wearers from the intense sun.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd, Auction XXVIII (5/7/2023), lot 390.

Reference: Bopearachchi-2C; SNG ANS-282; Mitchiner-; HGC 12-109.
Rarity: Rare.
Die Axis: 12h.
Diameter: 19 mm.
Weight: 4.25 g.